Writer: Jerrica DuBois
2 min read December 2021 — It takes work to make local governments run efficiently and effectively. Even in Seguin, one of the oldest established towns in Texas with years of experience, the process isn’t always easy. Donna Dodgen, mayor of the city of Seguin, and Josh Schneuker, executive director of the Seguin Economic Development Corporation, shared with Invest: their thoughts on the local economy and what is needed to move the city forward.
What were some of the biggest highlights for the city over the last 18 months?
Donna Dodgen: During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were fortunate that the city lost none of its Downtown businesses. Our sales tax slightly increased and revenues never dropped significantly. That is because our citizens, as well as the Seguin Chamber of Commerce, the city and the Seguin Economic Development Corporation, really worked hard to encourage support for Downtown businesses. People took it to heart and the business owners creatively adapted by offering curbside pick-up or delivered items to peoples’ homes. Services such as DoorDash weren’t available in Seguin at the time, but now we do have them and they’re being utilized. That means there is more opportunity for employment.
What steps are being taken to secure additional funding for the Business Improvement Grant program?
Josh Schneuker: Our Business Improvement Grant Program has been a huge success. We launched the program in summer 2021 and saw huge demand from our local businesses. EDC funding is limited by state laws, which can be challenging when trying to assist small businesses and businesses in certain industry sectors, so we partnered with the city to identify and allocate funds that could be available to support our businesses across all industry segments. We wanted to be sure that this program could specifically assist our small businesses, as access to capital can be a challenge for them. The grant funding provided through the program has had a huge impact on the city and on our businesses, allowing them to make investments in their properties and in their equipment.
What are some of the most pressing infrastructure needs for Seguin?
Dodgen: More manufacturers have been brought in and along with that, we’ve been able to extend our electricity, stormwater, water and sewer infrastructure. When housing developments are ready to come in, the necessary infrastructure is already there and all we have to do is extend it outward. We have approximately 10,000 homes plotted right now. They will not come in all at the same time but that has been solely because we have planned that infrastructure for them to be able to connect. We are also working hard on grading roads. We are also looking at developing a stormwater utility in the near future.
Schneuker: We’ve grown exponentially over the past several years, so it is vital to ensure that we have the infrastructure in place to accommodate the growth we’re experiencing and that will continue to come. We’re working with developers and businesses to ensure that we’re making strategic investments in infrastructure, such as roads. We want to do our best to alleviate congestion and ensure that rural roads impacted by new developments are being expanded. We’re partnering with the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, which has awarded Seguin with funding for two major roadway expansion projects for thoroughfares that are experiencing added congestion as a result of the residential growth. We are also working closely with the Texas Department of Transportation on a future Interstate 10 expansion project within Seguin.
What strategies has Seguin implemented to promote workforce development?
Dodgen: In conjunction with the Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA), we just opened the Seguin Career Center, an innovative workforce center offering tools such as virtual reality training to help job seekers build soft and technical skills that support key industries in Seguin. The career center also provides a comprehensive suite of employment, training, education and supportive services for those in need. We also have the Central Texas Technology Center (CTTC), which helps our manufacturing partners in the New Braunfels and the Seguin area by providing a workforce skilled in specific areas. If we bring an industry in and they need something specific, we can utilize the CTTC to that end.
Schneuker: We want to continue to capitalize on the growth of the community by strengthening the foundation of our local workforce development initiatives. Access to a skilled workforce is the No. 1 issue facing existing businesses in Seguin and prospective businesses that we work with. Developing a talent pipeline that can meet the needs of existing and future businesses is one of our top priorities. We are working closely with industry and educational stakeholders to implement new and innovative training programs that will help ensure long-term economic growth in Seguin.
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